Method of and system for receiving orders for prints, and computer program for use in the method and system

ABSTRACT

Orders for prints of image data are received at an order receipt server connected to a user terminal by way of a network. A plurality of entry web pages each corresponding to one of a plurality of brands are prepared in the order receipt server, and the order receipt server is caused to receive orders for prints under the brand corresponding to the entry web page to which the user terminal is connected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a method of and a system for receivingorders for prints of image data by way of a network and to a program forcausing a computer to execute processing of receiving orders for printsof image data by way of a network.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] There have been known various digital photo-service systems forproviding various services on digital pictures such as digitizingpictures taken by users and storing digital image data representing thepictures in an image server, recording digital image data representingthe pictures taken by users on a CD-Rand providing the CD-R to theusers, printing pictures taken by digital cameras, and receiving ordersfor extra copies. As one form of such digital photo-service systems,there has been proposed a network photo-service system for receiving,for instance, orders for prints by way of a network such as theInternet.

[0005] In such a network photo-service system, users install in theirpersonal computers (user terminals) viewer software for reproducingimage data recorded in a CD-R or image data which the users obtain bythe use of their digital camera and reproduce images on the basis of theimage data, and creates order information representing the contents oforder by the use of an order function installed in the viewer software.Then the users send the order information to the order receipt serverfrom their user terminal by way of a network together with image datarepresenting the images to be printed.

[0006] The order receipt server transfers the image data and the orderinformation to a print server in a photo-processing shop (e.g., alarge-scale laboratory or a mini laboratory). In the print server, forinstance, extra copies are printed, post cards with a picture areprinted or an album is made on the basis of the order information.

[0007] Prints thus obtained is sent to a shop which the user designatesin advance upon sending the order information and the user visits theshop to receive the prints and pay the shop.

[0008] The “order information” includes, for instance, a process numberfor designating the content of service such as printing extra copies ormaking postcards, a picture number for designating the picture on whichthe service is to be done, the size of the prints, the number of copies,the quality of the print surface (glossy or matte), the thickness of theprint, the contents of processing, an information on trimming. The“order information” may sometimes include the name, address, zip code,telephone number and the like of the user making the order.

[0009] Recently there have appeared mail-order firms which run amail-order business on a web site of the Internet. Some of suchmail-order firms want to provide a network photo-service such asdescribed above. Further, some photo-processing shops also want toprovide such a network photo-service.

[0010] However since construction of such a network photo-service systemis very costly, it is very inefficient for the mail-order firms or thephoto-processing shops to individually construct such a networkphoto-service system. Accordingly, for the mail-order firms or thephoto-processing shops, it is desirable to associate with an existentphoto-processing firm already running a network photo-service system andto have business executed by the existent firm. This is also desirablefor the existent photo-processing firm already running a networkphoto-service system in that it provides an additional chance ofbusiness.

[0011] However when the network photo-service system run by the existentphoto-processing firm is used as it is, there arises a problem that thename of the existent photo-processing firm is displayed on the screen orthe price is set as set by the existent photo-processing firm when anorder of prints is to be made, which is trouble for the mail-order firmsor the photo-processing shops who want to provide a networkphoto-service system with its own brand and can result in loss ofadditional chance of business for the existent photo-processing firmalready running a network photo-service system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In view of the foregoing observations and description, theprimary object of the present invention is to provide a method of and asystem which can receive orders for prints of image data by way of anetwork under different brands under which the contents of service aredifferent.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a programfor causing an order receipt server to execute processing of receivingorders for prints of image data by way of a network under differentbrands.

[0014] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a method of receiving orders for prints of image data at anorder receipt server connected to a user terminal by way of a networkcomprising the steps of

[0015] preparing in the order receipt server a plurality of entry webpages each corresponding to one of a plurality of brands, and

[0016] causing the order receipt server to receive orders for printsunder the brand corresponding to the entry web page to which the userterminal is connected.

[0017] The “order receipt server” may comprise, for instance, a servercomputer which is installed in, for instance, a print order receiptcenter for exclusively receiving orders for prints and is connecteddirectly to a printer in the print receipt center or to a printer serverin a photo-processing shop such as a large-scale laboratory or a minilaboratory by way of a network. In the latter case, the order receiptserver sends the image data together with information on the printdelivery shop at which the user receives the products to the printerserver and the printer server prints the image data.

[0018] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,there is provided a system for receiving orders for prints of image dataat an order receipt server connected to a user terminal by way of anetwork, wherein the improvement comprises that

[0019] the order receipt server is provided with a plurality of entryweb pages each corresponding to one of a plurality of brands so that theorder receipt server receives orders for prints under a brand selectedfrom the plurality of brands by the user.

[0020] At least one of the entry web pages may correspond to a brand ofa web site provided by another web server connected to the order receiptserver by way of a network.

[0021] Further, each of the entry web pages may be provided with a brandID and the order receipt server may be provided with a data base whichstores the brand ID together with print service informationcorresponding to the brand ID. The “print service information” may be atleast one of image data for displaying logos of the brands, templatedata which is combined with image data to make postcards and informationon the print delivery shop at which the user receives the products.

[0022] The “data base” may be in any form so long as it can be read outthrough the order receipt server. For example, the data base may bestored in a storage medium built in a sever computer employed as theorder receipt server or in a data base server connected to the orderreceipt server.

[0023] The order receipt server may receive orders in paging systemswhich are different by entry web pages.

[0024] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a program for causing an order receipt server connected to auser terminal by way of a network to execute processing of receivingorders for prints of image data from the user terminal, the programcomprising processing of

[0025] displaying an entry web page designated by the user out of aplurality of entry web pages each corresponding to one of a plurality ofbrands, and

[0026] receiving orders for prints under the brand corresponding to theentry web page to which the user terminal is connected.

[0027] A computer program for causing a computer to perform the methodof the present invention may be recorded in a computer readable mediumso that the computer can perform the method when loaded with therecording medium. A skilled artisan would know that the computerreadable medium is not limited to any specific type of storage devicesand includes any kind of device, including but not limited to CDs,floppy disks, RAMs, ROMs, hard disks, magnetic tapes and internetdownloads, in which computer instructions can be stored and/ortransmitted. Transmission of the computer code through a network orthrough wireless transmission means is also within the scope of thisinvention. Additionally, computer code/instructions include, but are notlimited to, source, object and executable code and can be in anylanguage including higher level languages, assembly language and machinelanguage.

[0028] In accordance with the present invention, since orders for printsare received on web pages which are different by brands, the orders canbe received under different brands under which the contents of serviceare different.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network photo-service systememploying a system for receiving orders for prints in accordance with afirst embodiment of the present invention,

[0030]FIG. 2 is a view showing a processing flow with transition ofconnection of the nodes in the first embodiment,

[0031]FIG. 3 is a view showing the data base in which brand Ids and thename of the file of image data representing the brand logo correspondingto each of the brand Ids are stored,

[0032]FIG. 4 is a view showing the data base in which brand Ids andinformation on the prices of prints corresponding to each of the brandIds are stored,

[0033]FIG. 5 is a view showing the data base in which brand Ids and thenames of the files of image data representing the postcard templatescorresponding to each of the brand Ids are stored,

[0034]FIG. 6 is a view showing the data base in which brand Ids and theinformation on the print delivery shop corresponding to each of thebrand Ids are stored, and

[0035]FIG. 7 is a view showing a processing flow with transition ofconnection of the nodes in the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036]FIG. 1 shows a network photo-service system employing a system forreceiving orders for prints in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention. The network photo-service system shown in FIG. 1 isfor transferring image data, prints and the like between users 1, aprint order receipt center 2 and photo-processing shops 3 by way of anetwork 4.

[0037] Each of the users 1 has a user terminal 11 such as a personalcomputer and is able to make an order for prints to the print orderreceipt center 2 by way of the network 4. When the user 1 has nopersonal computer, the user 1 can use an order terminal installed at aservice center or the like as the user terminal 11.

[0038] The print order receipt center 2 is provided with an orderreceipt server 21 for receiving orders for prints, a data base 22storing therein print service information by brands, and a printer 23which obtains prints P on the basis of image data S sent from the userterminal 11 by way of the network 4 upon of the order for prints.Further, the printer 23 prints out the address of the print deliveryshop on the basis of information K on the address of the print deliveryshop and obtains a delivery sheet KP bearing thereon the address of theprint delivery shop. The delivery sheet KP is attached to a container(e.g., a bag) containing therein prints P at the order receipt center 2and the prints P are shipped to a print delivery shop (photo-processingshop in this particular embodiment) on the basis of the address recordedon the delivery sheet.

[0039] The print receipt server 21 has exclusive entry web pagesexclusively for web site firms and photo-processing shops which havebeen associated in advance with the print-service firm running the printorder receipt center 2 and general entry web pages for users whodirectly access the order receipt server 21.

[0040] A plurality of web servers such as web server a 5, web server b 6. . . are connected to the network 4 in addition to the user terminals11 and the order receipt server 21.

[0041] In this particular embodiment, the web server a 5 and the webserver b 6 are run by firms which have been associated in advance withthe print-service firm running the print order receipt center 2.

[0042] The web site a stored in the web server a 5 is linked to an entryweb page of the order receipt server 21 exclusively for the web site a.Similarly, the web site b stored in the web server b 6 is linked to anentry web page of the order receipt server 21 exclusively for the website b.

[0043] When ordering for prints, the user terminal accesses the orderreceipt server 21 of the print order receipt center 2 by an web browserinstalled in advance in the user terminal 11 and a web screen for orderis displayed on the user terminal 11 on the basis of a HTML file, Java®Script stored in the order receipt server 21.

[0044] Operation of the first embodiment will be described, hereinbelow.FIG. 2 shows a processing flow with transition of connection of thenodes in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, it is assumed thatthe user terminal 11 accesses the web server a and accesses to the orderreceipt server 21 by way of the link of the web site a.

[0045] The user 1 clicks a button for order of prints on the web page.The button is linked with the address of the entry web page G1 for theweb site a in the order receipt server 21, and when the button isclicked, the user terminal 11 is connected to the order receipt server21 of the print order receipt center 2 by an web browser installed inadvance in the user terminal 11 and the entry web page G1 for the website a is displayed on the user terminal 11.

[0046] When the user 1 accesses other web site in association with theprint-service firm, the entry web page for the web site is displayed onthe user terminal 11. That is, for example, the web site b is linkedwith the address of the entry web page G2 for the web site b in theorder receipt server 21, and when the user 11 accesses to the orderreceipt server 21 by way of the link of the web site b, the entry webpage G2 for the web site b is displayed on the user terminal 11. Theprint-service firm lays open to the public the address of the generalentry web page G3 for providing surface under its own brand. When theuser 1 wants to make an order under the brand of the print-service firm,the user 1 accesses the general entry web page G3.

[0047] When the user 1 accesses the order receipt server 21 at the entryweb page for the wed site a, the order receipt server 21 causes the userterminal 11 to display the entry web page G1 for the web site a. At thistime, the order receipt server 21 obtains the brand ID (=1) attached tothe entry web page G1 for the web site a and obtains from the data base22 print service information corresponding to the brand ID (=1).

[0048] The “print service information” stored in the data base 22 willbe described, hereinbelow. FIG. 3 shows a data base D1 in which brandIds and the name of the file of image data representing the brand logocorresponding to each of the brand Ids are stored, FIG. 4 shows a database D2 in which brand Ids and information on the prices of printscorresponding to each of the brand Ids are stored, FIG. 5 shows a database D3 in which brand Ids and the names of the files of image datarepresenting the postcard templates corresponding to each of the brandIds are stored, and FIG. 6 shows a data base D4 in which brand Ids andthe information on the print delivery shop corresponding to each of thebrand Ids are stored.

[0049] The order receipt server 21 receives orders for prints on anorder receipt web page which is common to all the brands after the entryweb page. On the order receipt web page Gn, the brand logo correspondingto the brand ID of 1 is displayed. On the order receipt web page Gn, theuser terminal 11 is caused to upload image data S to be printed. It ispossible to make a postcard in which image data S is combined with oneof templates as desired. At this time, said one template is selectedfrom a plurality of displayed names of files of image data representingthe postcard templates corresponding to brand Id of 1 and obtained fromthe data base D3. Of course, it is possible to receive an order forprints obtained by printing the image data S unprocessed. Further,prices of the prints corresponding the brand ID of 1 are obtained fromthe data base D2 are displayed. Then the order receipt server 21 allowsthe user 1 to input image data S to be printed and the number of copiesdesired. Further, the order receipt server 21 causes the user terminal 1to display the list of print delivery shops and allows the user 1 toselect one or more print delivery shops from the list of print deliveryshops.

[0050] Upon receipt of order information, the order receipt server 21 ofthe print order receipt center 2 makes prints P on the basis of imagedata S and prints a note under brand corresponding to the brand ID of 1.The notes are contained in a bag together with the prints P. A deliverysheet KP bearing thereon the address K of the print delivery shop isbonded to the bag and the bag is shipped to the print delivery shop. Theprint delivery shop 3 receives the prints P in the bag and the uservisits the print delivery shop 3, receives the prints P and pays theshop.

[0051] As can be understood from the description above, since the orderreceipt server 21 is provided with a plurality of entry web pages eachcorresponding to one of a plurality of brands, and orders for prints arereceived on a web page selected by the user, the orders can be receivedunder different brands under which the contents of service aredifferent.

[0052] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described,hereinbelow. The network photo-service system of this embodiment differsfrom that of the first embodiment in that a discrete order receipt webpage is prepared for each brand.

[0053]FIG. 7 shows a processing flow with transition of connection ofthe nodes in the network photo-service system of the second embodiment.

[0054] In this embodiment, an entry web page H1-1 for the web site a islinked to an order receipt web page H1-n exclusively for the brand ofthe web site a. Similarly, an entry web page H2-1 for the web site b islinked to an order receipt web page H2-n exclusively for the brand ofthe web site b, and a general entry web page H3-1 is linked to a generalorder receipt web page H3-n.

[0055] In addition to the effect obtained in the first embodiment, theorder receipt web pages can be more peculiar, for instance, in design ofthe order receipt web page to the respective brands since an orderreceipt web page is prepared for each brand.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of receiving orders for prints of imagedata at an order receipt server connected to a user terminal by way of anetwork comprising the steps of preparing in the order receipt server aplurality of entry web pages each corresponding to one of a plurality ofbrands, and causing the order receipt server to receive orders forprints under the brand corresponding to the entry web page to which theuser terminal is connected.
 2. A system for receiving orders for printsof image data at an order receipt server connected to a user terminal byway of a network, wherein the improvement comprises that the orderreceipt server is provided with a plurality of entry web pages eachcorresponding to one of a plurality of brands so that the order receiptserver receives orders for prints under the brand corresponding to theentry web page to which the user terminal is connected.
 3. A system asdefined in claim 2 in which at least one of the entry web pagescorresponds to a brand of a web site provided by another web serverconnected to the order receipt server by way of a network, and the orderreceipt server receives the order for prints under the brandcorresponding to the entry web page to which the user accesses.
 4. Asystem as defined in claim 2 in which each of the entry web pages isprovided with a brand ID and the order receipt server is provided with adata base which stores the brand ID together with print serviceinformation corresponding to the brand ID.
 5. A system as defined inclaim 2 in which the print service information is at least one of imagedata for displaying logos of the brands, template data which is combinedwith image data to make postcards and information on the print deliveryshop at which the user receives the products.
 6. A system as defined inclaim 2 in which the order receipt server receives orders in pagingsystems which are different by entry web pages.
 7. A program for causingan order receipt server connected to a user terminal by way of a networkto execute processing of receiving orders for prints of image data fromthe user terminal, the program comprising processing of displaying anentry web page designated by the user out of a plurality of entry webpages each corresponding to one of a plurality of brands, and receivingorders for prints under the brand of the entry web page designated bythe user.
 8. A computer readable medium in which a program as defined inclaim 7 is recorded.